Active West Coast Canada Discovery

8 days, Vancouver to Vancouver

Map of the route for Active West Coast Canada Discovery
Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

When arranging your transportation, such as flights, please take into consideration the below time restrictions for joining and departing from your group. With these times, we have taken into account travel time to/from the airport in the given destination and required time for check-in or baggage collection/immigration.

Your flight must arrive by or before: 05:00 on Day 1
Your flight must depart no earlier than: 16:00 on Day 8

Itinerary

Day 1Vancouver/Sooke

Enjoy a morning welcome meeting with your CEO in Vancouver before catching the ferry to Victoria on Vancouver Island. Eat a picnic lunch upon arrival before setting off into East Sooke Regional Park for some hiking. There’s a wide range of trails that have different levels of difficulty, but all of them will offer great views of the dramatic, rocky coastline, and lush Pacific rainforest filled with moss and green ferns. In the evening set up camp, get settled, and have dinner around a fire with the group.

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Ferry
Vancouver – Victoria4h

Settle in and scan the scenery as you take a ferry ride from Vancouver to Victoria on Vancouver Island.

East Sooke Regional Park Hike
East Sooke

Located west of Victoria, this park is one of the more spectacular in the region offering lots of challenging hikes in a wilderness setting. It spans miles and miles of protected coastal landscapes and offers trails through forest, marsh, and fields with beaches, rocky bays, and tide pools sprinkled in for exploring. The views are amazing and it’s definitely worth the challenge.

Private Vehicle
Victoria – Sooke1h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.

Sooke River Campground (or similar)
Campground

Meals included:

Lunch | Dinner

Day 2Sooke

After fuelling up with a camp breakfast the group will travel to the Juan de Fuca Strait from Sooke to embark on a hike along a section of the impressive trail. You’ll traverse miles of dense coastal forest and walk over beautiful pebble beaches, past gurgling waterfalls, slippery suspension bridges (watch your step) and the occasional pit of mud, but the dramatic views along this hike are well worth the effort. Transfer back to Sooke in the evening to rest up at camp and have dinner as a group.

Private Vehicle
Sooke – Juan de Fuca Strait

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Juan de Fuca Hike
Juan de Fuca Strait

Covering 47 kilometres of dense coastal forest the Juan de Fuca trail is quite a feat for hikers. There are multiple trail options and it can be hiked in sections. It offers plenty of challenges with its rugged terrain featuring plenty of ups and downs and twists and turns. However, the adventure is worth it along this western edge of the world.

Private Vehicle
Juan de Fuca Strait – Sooke

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

Sooke River Campground (or similar)
Campground

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 3Sooke

Today after breakfast at camp the day is yours to do as you wish. If you need a break from hiking consider one of the many optional activities available like, sea kayaking, whale watching, bicycle rentals, or a visit to the quaint town of Victoria for some people watching and cafe hopping.

Free Time
Sooke Full Day

Enjoy a free day to continue exploring Sooke and Victoria. Choose from optional activities like whale watching, sea kayaking, and renting a bicycle to make this day as memorable as possible.

3

Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow

Bike Rental Sooke & Victoria
Victoria

Rent a bike to peddle along the shoreline of Victoria or opt to head further into the woods and out of town. Either way this is a great way to keep exploring Vancouver Island without hiking for a change.

Sea Kayaking
Sooke

Get out there on the water today and experience some of the best paddling, wildlife, and scenery in all of Sooke. Paddle until your heart's content and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife both along the shore and out in the water.

Zodiac Whale Watching Cruise
Victoria
173.60CAD per person

Cruise the sea in a Zodiac boat in search of marine wildlife such as gray whales, sea lions, otters, seals, porpoises, and killer whales.

Accommodation

Sooke River Campground (or similar)
Campground

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 4Sooke to Squamish via Parksville

In the morning after breakfast the group will transfer to Cowichan Bay where you'll go out on a kayak excursion. In the afternoon, leave Cowichan Bay behind and head to the ferry port in Nanaimo to hop on a ferry to Horseshoe Bay drive along the Sea to Sky highway up to Squamish. In the evening set up camp and relax in the outdoors.

Private Vehicle
Sooke – Cowichan Bay

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Kayak on Cowichan Bay
Cowichan Bay

A vast and beautiful Cowichan Bay is the best location for getting out onto the water. Explore this stunning environment, keeping your eyes on the lookout for wildlife and taking loads of photos. Please note this kayaking excursion is considered sea kayaking and the group will be in the ocean along Cowichan Bay.

Private Vehicle
Cowichan Bay – Nanaimo1h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Ferry
Nanaimo – Horseshoe Bay2h30m

Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.

Private Vehicle
Horseshoe Bay – Squamish1h15m65km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

Mountain Fun Campground (or similar)
Campground

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 5Squamish

Today the group will hike The Stawamus Chief trail. This trail is one of the region’s best hikes and will take you up a steep incline to one of its three peaks. The views of the area surrounding Squamish, with the Howe Sound and the Garibaldi Park to the north are incredible. Enjoy a picnic lunch during your hike and in the evening relax at camp and have dinner as a group, refueling after the day’s adventure.

The Stawamus Chief Hike
Squamish4h-7h 3-6km

This trail is known locally as, “The Chief” and happens to be one of North America’s largest granite monoliths. Home to the Sea to Sky Corridor this challenging hike begins with a quick incline kicking your heart into overdrive right off the bat. It’s divided into three summits and you can reach any of them from this one hiking trail. The views of the surrounding landscape make the climb well worth it.

Accommodation

Mountain Fun Campground (or similar)
Campground

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 6Squamish

Another great day of hiking to discover captivating views and new heights (literally). Set out to trek the Elfin Lake trail in Garibaldi Provincial Park. Offering amazing views you’ll hike 11km to get to the lakes, but it’s certainly worth it. Go for a dip in the icy water, fill up your bottles in another pond reserved only for drinking water and have lunch as you admire those insane views. After hiking the 11km downhill you’ll be able to have dinner wherever you choose in Squamish before heading back to camp for the night.

Elfin Lakes Hike
Squamish

The hike to Elfin lakes is 11km each way, but it’s not very steep and actually very scenic on the way up. The trail is wide and you are surrounded by towering mountains all the way up to the lakes. At the top it’s always a treat to dip into the icy waters. While the water is cold it is very clean and clear like a mirror. If you’re lucky you’ll see this on a sunny day with the massive mountains reflected in their surfaces.

Accommodation

Mountain Fun Campground (or similar)
Campground

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 7Day trip to Whistler from Squamish

In the morning the group will travel from Squamish to Whistler to take the Whistler Gondola up to the peak and hike the High Note trail. This trail offers hikers with the most scenic views of Cheakamus Lake with its vibrant aquamarine waters. The hike begins at the top of Whistler Mountain and takes you around the backside with views of the surrounding mountains and a descent through an alpine area. After the hike you’ll have free time to enjoy Whistler before returning to Squamish. Consider checking out the ​​Squamish-Lil'wat Cultural Centre, the Cloudraker Skybridge, or find a cozy coffee shop in town. In the evening at camp you’ll have your final dinner as a group around the campfire.

Private Vehicle
Squamish – Whistler1h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

High Note Hike
Whistler

This hike provides you with incredible views of Black Tusk and the other mountain ranges. You’ll start this hike from the top of Whistler Mountain and walk 9.5km gaining 420m in elevation. Pass by alpine lakes and see Flute Summit in the distance and ending with a loop around Harmony Lake.

Private Vehicle
Whistler – Squamish1h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

Mountain Fun Campground (or similar)
Campground

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 8Whistler/Vancouver

Travel from Whistler to Vancouver. Tours ends on arrival in Vancouver.

Please book any departing flights no earlier than 4:00pm.

Private Vehicle
Whistler – Vancouver2h-3h120km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Active West Coast Canada Discovery

| 8 days - Vancouver to Vancouver - from $2299 USD